Academic Tournament Championship

Posted by Lisa Newcomer at 2/26/2015

Friday, February 27, 5:45 PM, Linganore High; Open to the Public!

Academic Tournament teams from all 10 Frederick County public high schools are preparing for heated competition in the championship that begins Friday, February 27, 5:45 PM, at Linganore High. This event is open free to the public.

In its 34rd year, the local Academic Tournament promises to bring excitement as students go head to head, putting their knowledge and recall to the test. After all teams have competed in final matches, the three high-scoring teams will continue in the championship until a winner is declared that evening. The championship team gets to showcase the trophy for the year.

Matches have taken place most Fridays since January, alternating locations. Since 1982, Linganore teams have won the tournament nine times, Frederick High has won six, Gov. Thomas Johnson has won five, Middletown and Walkersville have each won four, and teams from Brunswick, Catoctin, Tuscarora, and Urbana have each won once.

Walkersville High teacher Thomas Kollai will serve as master of ceremonies, reading questions at the event, with Academic Tournament coordinator Nick Diaz assisting.

Tradition also includes bestowing the Curriculum Specialists’ Award at the championship to an individual or group, to be announced, who has made significant contributions to the tournament’s success.

Summer Engineering Course for High School Students to be offered at Tuscarora High School

Posted by Lisa Newcomer at 2/26/2015

Frederick County Public Schools partners with Johns Hopkins University to Offer High School Engineering Course

Frederick County Public Schools is pleased to announce it will once again offer the Johns Hopkins University Engineering Innovation Summer Program to motivated high school students. Engineering Innovation has been offered at Tuscarora High School since 2009.

Engineering Innovation is an exciting college level summer program for motivated high school students with an aptitude in math and science and an interest in (or curiosity about) engineering. It is the summer version of a freshman course offered to undecided engineering majors at Johns Hopkins. The semester-long course has been condensed into four weeks and is made available to high school students in the summer. In four weeks students complete lab activities in computer engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, civil engineering, robotics, and mechanical engineering. They also prepare a presentation in response to a Request for Proposal, learn about engineering economics, and write a research paper. They take weekly quizzes and a comprehensive final exam. Students earning an A or B in the course receive three Johns Hopkins college credits.

The course will be offered at Tuscarora High School from June 29 through July 24, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be no class on Friday July 3rd. Prerequisites are Algebra II, trigonometry, a lab science (chemistry, biology, and/or physics) and experience with a spreadsheet application.

For more information or to apply to the program, please visit http://engineering.jhu.edu/ei/About The Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Center for Educational Outreach In 2003, the Center for Educational Outreach was established by the Whiting School of Engineering to increase the number of youth who pursue science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers, particularly women and underrepresented minorities. Through partnerships with local schools, youth-serving nonprofits, local corporations, and faculty, the Center for Educational Outreach works to make a broad impact on the community and create effective, scalable, sustainable programs.

March is Youth Art Month

Posted by Lisa Newcomer at 2/25/2015

All-County Student Exhibit

March brings vibrant colors to brighten even the dreariest winter day in Frederick County. Visit the Frederick County Public Schools’ All-County Student Art Exhibit at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center. Open free to the public, the exhibit features more than 300 imaginative two- and three-dimensional creations by students from each public school.

Catch the festive opening Saturday, March 7 from 3-5 p.m. The show continues throughout March during the Delaplaine’s usual hours, 9-5 Mondays-Saturdays and 11-5 Sundays. The Center is at 40 S. Carroll Street in downtown Frederick. The gallery is also open some evening hours when the Center offers classes; for the evening schedule, please call 301-698-0656 or visit www.delaplaine.org.

FCPS Superintendent Answers Your Questions

Do you have questions or thoughts about Frederick County Public Schools? Have some feedback for Superintendent Alban?

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban invites the public to the PTA-sponsored Superintendent’s Chat on Tuesday, March 3 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Thurmont Middle School. The snow date for this event is March 17.

This is the third in a series of four PTA-sponsored Superintendent Chats this school year. Others were held in September at Carroll Manor Elementary and February at Middletown Middle. The final chat this school year is planned for April 28 at Twin Ridge Elementary.

“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to talk with members of the community,” Alban said. “We’re using every vehicle available to us to engage our community and hear what people have to say.”

The Superintendent won’t be able to address specific personnel issues or questions about specific students, but all other issues are on the table.

Most Epic Pi Day EVER!

The most epic Pi Day EVER! That’s how the Frederick County Public Schools’ Earth and Space Science Lab (ESSL) is planning to celebrate the upcoming once-in-100-years occurrence.

You probably know that mathematical pi is a never-ending or repeating decimal and shows the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Well, the first five digits of pi are 3.1415. Put in date format, that’s 3-14-15, or Saturday, March 14 this year. And that’s the day the public is invited to celebrate at the ESSL. The many fun family-friendly activities throughout the day will begin with a 5-K—no, scratch that, with a—“Pi”-K fun run that starts at 9:26:53; that time reflects the next five digits of pi. You get the idea.

Local merchants are donating hundreds of pies for the event. FCPS media artist Stephen Blickenstaff has designed a cool logo for the ESSL to feature on tee shirts and more.

“This is an opportunity for the community to support the ESSL’s current fundraiser to help us replace aged equipment,” says ESSL co-director Jeff Grills.

“See the Pi Day countdown clock, register for the race and find out about the other epic activities we’re planning for the day,” says Lisa Bruck. “They’re online now at https://education.fcps.org/essl. T-shirts will be available for those who preregister for the race by March 2. Those who have donated to the fundraiser so far are: Adventure Park, Brad W. Young, Colonial Jewelers, CostCo, Dubliner Roasters, Frederick Magazine, Fredericktowne Realtors, Grimes Graphics, Hawaiian Tan, I Made This, Michaels, Petit Picasso, Sam’s Club, Smooch, Stadler’s Nursery, Wegman’s and Young Masonry.

FHS Replacement Project Moves Forward

Posted by Emily Reedy at 2/4/2015 12:10:00 PM

Public Meeting Planned to Discuss Construction

Frederick County Public Schools invites the community to a meeting to learn more about the construction plans for the Frederick High School Replacement Project. The meeting is Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room at Frederick High (snow date: Monday, February 23). FCPS staff and GWWO Architects will present updated site plans, building elevations, and the construction timeline for the project.

The Frederick County Board of Education recently approved the construction documents for the Frederick High replacement building at their January 14 meeting. Construction of the new facility is slated to begin in May 2015. Students will remain in the existing school building while the replacement facility is constructed. The new Frederick High facility is scheduled to open for students in August 2017, with demolition of the existing building following the opening of the new school.

Families of students within the Frederick High feeder pattern and interested community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the upcoming construction phase, view detailed site plans and submit comments and questions. Community members can also take a 3D virtual tour of the new Frederick High facility by watching a video prepared by the architectural firm, GWWO Inc. The video, along with additional information about the FHS Replacement Project, can be viewed online at www.fcps.org/FHSRenovation. The public is encouraged to email questions about the project to FHSRenovation@fcps.org.

Science and Social Studies Fairs on Same Day

Posted by Dian Nelson at 2/2/2015

Save the Date: Saturday, March 21

FCPS is continuing a relatively new tradition when it comes to countywide fairs. The school system is not only hosting the 34th annual elementary Science and Engineering Fair at Walkersville High and the secondary portion for grades 6-12 at Walkersville Middle the same day but also the 2nd annual elementary Social Studies Fair at Walkersville Elementary. All are open free to the public Saturday, March 21.

Elementary science and social studies events take place from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A free Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—STEM—Showcase, also open to the public, is offered with the elementary science fair at the high school. The shared date and proximity of the fairs allow families an opportunity to spend the day enjoying projects and research that is based on student interests.

This arrangement allows elementary students participating in both fairs to explore more information about a particular interest. For example, a student completing a science project to learn which plants grow best under certain conditions could broaden that topic to complete a related social studies project about how agriculture affects our community. FCPS will adjust judging and interview schedules to accommodate students who enter both fairs.

The secondary fair, featuring projects from grades 6-12, is open free to visitors from 3-4 p.m., with an awards ceremony beginning at 4.

Science and Engineering Fair student registrations are online at sites that also have information for parents who have children working on projects. Registration closes Thursday, March 12 at 4 p.m. for the secondary science fair and on Friday, March 13 for the elementary fairs. To register please go to the following sites:

Hear County's Top Student Musicians

Posted by Dian Nelson at 1/30/2015

Middle School Music Festival

The 2015 All-County Middle School Music Festival is almost here, featuring the top 181 Frederick County public middle school music students. Eighty-three All-County Chorus, 54 All-County Band and 46 All-County Orchestra students were selected from a rigorous audition process to perform for the public on Saturday, February 7, in the Governor Thomas Johnson High School auditorium at 7 p.m. The snow date is Monday, February 9.

Three conductors, who have selected repertoire to showcase student talents, will lead the groups in the concert. Beverly Mauck, who directs Manchester Valley High in Carroll County, will lead the chorus. The director of the Peabody Preparatory’s Young Artists Orchestra, Dr. Daniel Levitov, will conduct the orchestra. Catonsville High director Christopher Gnagey will conduct the band. FCPS will share their biographical information at: http://education.fcps.org/vpasec. FCPS will also post any bad weather announcements at that site.

Admission, payable at the door, is $5 for adults and $3 for school-age children, with a $10 family maximum when families arrive together. Admission is free for FCPS employees with work ID and for guests under school age or age 60 and older. Revenue from admission tickets supports this and other countywide musical events.

Oscar of Teaching Goes to Ms. Hawk of FCPS

Posted by Dian Nelson at 1/28/2015

Milken Educator Award Includes $25,000 Cash Prize

The Oscar goes to…Yellow Springs Elementary first-grade teacher Margaret “Maggie” Hawk! The Milken Educator Award, which includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize, is known as the Oscar of Teaching. This morning, Milken Family Foundation co-founder Mike Milken joined Maryland State Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith and Frederick County Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban, in a surprise visit to present the award to Ms. Hawk in front of her colleagues and first grade students.

“We are so proud of Ms. Hawk and the amazing work she does with students each day at Yellow Springs,” says Principal Susan Kreiger. “Maggie Hawk was herself a student at Yellow Springs. Although she struggled with dyslexia, a developmental reading disorder, she overcame her challenges and became a good student through teacher and family support combined with her own hard work and determination. We are so glad she went on to graduate from Randolph Macon College and return to share her passion for teaching at Yellow Springs. Students blossom in her class, and they meet the high expectations she sets for them.”

Whether co-teaching with other specialists to meet student Individualized Education Program needs or supporting students who already excel so they achieve greater heights, Ms. Hawk sees that students consistently leave her class above grade level in core subjects, confident and ready to learn more. She is committed to using technology and a wide variety of traditional and innovative learning techniques to help each student deeply understand the material. It’s not uncommon to hear students saying they want to grow up and become a teacher “just like Mrs. Hawk!”

“Quality teaching is the best resource we can provide to students,” says FCPS Superintendent Alban. “Ms. Hawk is a perfect example of what a difference a highly qualified teacher makes in children’s lives. Results like hers are why it’s so important to support the best teachers in public education. It’s so rewarding to see a former student return to share the valuable lessons she has learned with today’s students.”

The Milken Educator Awards program was launched in 1987 to recognize early to mid-career educators for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The Maryland State Department of Education has participated since 1993. Awards alternate yearly between elementary and secondary educators. Teachers, principals and specialists interested in furthering excellence in education are eligible. More information is online at www.milkeneducatorawards.org.

Public Meeting Planned to Discuss Sugarloaf Elementary

Posted by Emily Reedy at 1/27/2015 2:15:00 PM

Tuesday, February 3, 6:30 PM, Centerville Elementary

Frederick County Public Schools invites the community to a meeting to learn more about the construction plans for the new Sugarloaf Elementary School, slated for construction in the Urbana North mixed-use development west of MD 355 and next to the older Urbana Community Park.

The meeting is Tuesday, February 3 (snow date: February 10) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Centerville Elementary media center. FCPS staff and Grimm and Parker architects will present the site plan, floor plans and building elevations for the new elementary school and the proposed timeline for the project.

The new school will address the continued growth of the Urbana community and will relieve overcrowding at both Centerville and Urbana elementary schools. The Sugarloaf facility is scheduled to open in August 2017, first to be occupied by the students and staff of Urbana Elementary School while the Urbana Elementary facility is being replaced. The commencement of Sugarloaf and the Urbana Elementary Replacement projects is contingent upon receiving requisite funding from Frederick County.

Additionally, FCPS will initiate a redistricting study to create an attendance area for the new school upon the completion of the Urbana Elementary Replacement Project. FCPS anticipates that the attendance area will draw from the existing Centerville Elementary and Urbana Elementary attendance areas.

Families of students at Centerville and Urbana Elementary schools and interested community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the project, the forthcoming redistricting process and to submit comments and questions.